The right to vote

No. Felons never really 'pay for their crime or pay their dept to society' when they serve time in prison. Instead, they have amply demonstrated their unfitness to exercise the rights of citizens. No convicted felon, (unless exconerated) should ever be allowed to vote.

There are some states where felons can have their right to vote reinstated. I wouldn't mind restoring those rights to non-violent felons. Burglary, for example, is a felony which, by itself, is little more than trespassing. The only difference is that burglary includes the intent to commit a crime, typically theft. Murderers, rapists, child molesters, and people convicted of armed robbery will get no sympathy from me. Most of them shouldn't even be allowed to walk the streets again. I don't buy into the idea that it targets minorities at all. Nobody is forcing those minorities to commit felony crimes. They all made their choice not to participate in our society as law abiding citizens and they can face the consequences. The last thing we need is the Aryan Nation assembling to vote in elections. Just think of all the organized prison gangs that could vote in our elections if we didn't suspend their voting rights. They could be as powerful as other political interest groups.

I believe everyone should be given the right to vote. For me, it doesn't matter if you are a felon or not as long as you are a citizen of that country then I believe everyone should be given the right to choose as well.

Whatever happened to sending all the convicts to Australia?

I think it should after they serve their time. But as a prisoner, they forfeit all rights as citizens, so it's only right for them to not get to vote. After they serve their time... it seems to me that it would only be right for them to be able to vote again. I mean, since all of their rights are restored.. that should be too! Interesting topic though!

No one should ever be denied the right to vote unless they pulled a SERIOUS crime(makes national and/or international news for days). Besides, some people in jail may be innocent, it's rare, but it happens/ Do we really want to deny those people the right to vote?

Felons do not deserve to be able to vote, I do not care if they are Mexican or Black. The only politicians that I can think of that would think this would be a good idea are soft on crime Democrats. Think about, criminal are only going to vote for a candidate that they think will be easy on them. Imagine election day in a jail. Imagine a politician campaigning in a prison. What non sense!

I think that after a felons time is served then they should be able to vote. I don't think they should be stripped of every single right. I good friend of mine recieved a felon when he was 18 years old for "stealing" his girlfriends car. Yeah one of those things, any way he is now a successful business owner, and should still be permitted to vote. I don't think that those still serving time should be given that right.

A person who has been released from prison and completed any paarole of probation needs has worked his/her way back into society. They've paid their dues. That should mean they're able to make a fresh start. Voting is such an important issue in a free country, continuing to deny rights to these people is, indeed, cruel and unusual punishment!

Hi circumfelt-thats the first I have heard about that personally I think it should be reinstated..though I live in the UK I don't even know if felons etc have their right to vote taken away..littleowl

Hmmm...very interesting. I guess being able to vote is the right of every citizen no matter what they have done or not done isn't it? Ask Optimus Prime & he'll say " Freedom is the right of all sentient beings" Ahahahahaha

No, I don't think the right to vote should be reinstated. It's a right that can be taken away because one is convicted of a felony. When one breaks the law, there are consequences. This should be one of them.

Absolutely not. They knew before they committed the felon they would lose the right. The courts & law are already too soft on criminals as it IS. Voting is a right only law-abiding citizens DESERVE, & a felon should forever forfeit it. It serves as a stick or a carrot, depending on whether you're a criminal, or a decent citizen. Maggiepie

Felonies are pretty serious crimes and I believe there were valid reasons for prohibiting convicted felons from voting in the first place that did not include racial or ethnic bias so, no, I don't think the demographics of that group is a valid reason for changing the current prohibitions on voting. In reality, the only thing people learn in prison is how to be better criminals, it does nothing to improve their character.

Yes, I believe that their rights SHOULD be reinstated. If they have done the crime and then done the time; then their perspective is just as important as anyone else's. Taking away this right if they are IN jail is fair enough because by breaking the law they have disrespected the system they answer to so should no longer be granted full access to all things a free person is. But once released and out of probation etc? A free citizen is a free citizen and rights need to be the same for ALL free citizens. The statement regarding blacks and Hispanics is also interesting and the more I think about it; it would not surprise me in the slightest if there WAS this type of mentality running behind everything.

I think it would depend on the felony. I don't want to be the one to draw the lines, but some are worse than others. I know a number of felons and they are pretty much good people who made mistakes. I guess if your still in jail you shouldn't have that right. If you have paid your debt and your crime was not too serious, you should get it back. I will also add that after a period of time, with a felony, you can get many things removed and have this right restored among others. Many people aren't aware of this and it goes unsaid.

They've done the time. I vote restore their voting privileges.

I think they should have the right to vote. A person is sentenced to prison to pay for his crime, right? I'm not saying this because of what politicians are saying; I just think it's a little 'overkill'.

I don't feel that you should loose any rights once you have served your time. Isn't the punishment set by the courts enough?

This is a tough question because there are so many factors involved. I don't feel that a blanket law to reinstate all felons voting rights is feasible. Loosing your voting rights is a huge deterrent to committing a felony. That is essentially taking away your voice as an American. To the best of my understanding a felon can have voting rights and even all civil rights reinstated by a judge. This is done on a case by case basis with guidelines being different from state to state. I don't believe that changing this system is in our best interest. I am sure there are many convicted felons that have paid their debt to society and have reformed their ways. I also feel that in most cases if this person feels strongly about their right to vote and actually follows the necessary steps to obtain a hearing to request reinstatement of those rights they will receive them. In essence the system works the way it is.... If it aint broke.....you know.